Turbine engine coupling stack

ABSTRACT

An example coupling stack includes a first rotating member and a second rotating member. A plurality of aligned slots is defined in the first rotating member and the second rotating member. A tab lock is provided having an annular body with an axial front side, an axial back side, and a radial inner periphery. Tabs are formed on the axial back side and inserted into the plurality of aligned slots. The annular body of the tab lock also includes a plurality of openings extending into the radial inner periphery. A plurality of flanges is provided on the axial back side of the annular body adjacent to the plurality of openings.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.12/847,275, which was filed Jul. 30, 2010.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This application relates generally to a gas turbine engine, and morespecifically to a coupling system which prevents rotation betweencomponents of the gas turbine engine.

A gas turbine engine typically includes a compressor which compressesair and delivers the air into a combustion section. In the combustionsection air is mixed with fuel and combusted. Products of thiscombustion pass downstream over a turbine section. In one type of gasturbine engine, there are both low pressure and high pressurecompressors, and low pressure and high pressure turbines. A “couplingstack” may attach the low pressure turbine to the low pressurecompressor, such that the low pressure turbine drives the low pressurecompressor to rotate. A tie-bolt may connect the two, and extends alonga center line axis of the gas turbine engine. The coupling stack mayalso include a spanner nut, and a tab lock to connect the components.

During assembly, the tie-bolt may be stretched by a tool to provide ahigh amount of preload pressure, or tension, to the tie-bolt. When thetool is released, the tension on the tie-bolt provides compressionthroughout the coupling stack. The preload pressure provides enoughforce throughout the coupling stack to control relative movement betweenthe components of the coupling stack. However, during operation,vibrations may cause the components to become unspooled, or loosened,such that the components may rotate relative to each other. Unspoolingbetween components can cause a loss of preload pressure within thecoupling stack.

Furthermore, the work area within the gas turbine engine for manycomponents is at a small diameter and a great distance from a mechanic,and in a somewhat covered location, resulting in blind assembly.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An example coupling stack includes coupling first rotating member and asecond rotating member. A plurality of aligned slots is defined in thefirst rotating member and the second rotating member. A tab lock isprovided having an annular body with an axial front side, an axial backside, and a radial inner periphery. Tabs are formed on the axial backside and inserted into the plurality of aligned slots. The annular bodyof the tab lock also includes a plurality of openings extending into theradial inner periphery. A plurality of flanges is provided on the axialback side of the annular body adjacent to the plurality of openings.

An exemplary method for preventing rotation in an engine coupling stackincludes providing a tab lock with an annular body and a plurality ofopenings extending into a radial inner periphery of the annular body. Aplurality of openings in an axial back side of the annular body of thetab lock is aligned with a plurality of lips on a tool. The tab lockrotates relative to the tool to a locked position such that theplurality of lips is locked against the axial back side of the annularbody. The tab lock is then moved into the coupling stack and a pluralityof tabs on the tab lock is aligned with a plurality of slots between atie-boltand an input coupling. The plurality of tabs is then insertedinto the plurality of slots. The tool is then rotated relative to thetab lock to an unlocked position such that the plurality of lips isaligned with the plurality of openings. The tool is then removed,leaving the tab lock in place.

These and other features of the present invention can be best understoodfrom the following specification and drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a cross sectional view of an example gas turbine engine.

FIG. 2 shows a sectional view of the coupling stack within a gas turbineengine

FIG. 3A shows a perspective side view of an example tab lock.

FIG. 3B shows a perspective view of an example tab lock from the axialrear direction.

FIG. 4 shows another perspective view of a second embodiment of a tablock from the axial rear direction.

FIG. 5 shows an axial cross sectional view of an example tie-bolt andinput coupling within a gas turbine engine.

FIG. 6 shows a cross sectional view of a portion of the coupling stackwithin a gas turbine engine.

FIG. 7A shows a perspective view of an example tab lock and an exampleinsertion tool being aligned.

FIG. 7B shows a perspective view of an example tab lock and an exampleinsertion tool in an unlocked position.

FIG. 7C shows a perspective view of an example tab lock and an exampleinsertion tool in a locked position.

FIG. 7D shows a side view of an example tab lock and an exampleinsertion tool in a locked position.

FIG. 8A shows a sectional view of a portion of the coupling stack withan insertion tool and tab lock being inserted.

FIG. 8B shows a sectional view of a portion of the coupling stack withthe tab lock inserted and the insertion tool being rotated.

FIG. 8C shows a sectional view of a portion of the coupling stack withthe insertion tool being removed.

FIG. 8D shows a sectional view of a portion of the coupling stack withthe nut being inserted.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring to FIG. 1, a gas turbine engine 10, such as a turbofan gasturbine engine, is circumferentially disposed about an enginecenterline, or centerline axis 12. The gas turbine engine 10 includes afan 14, a low pressure compressor section 16, a high pressure compressorsection 18, a combustion section 20, a high pressure turbine section 22,and a low pressure turbine section 24. It is within the contemplation ofthis disclosure to utilize a gas turbine engine 10 with more or fewersections. Air is compressed in the low pressure compressor section 16and the high pressure compressor section 18, mixed with fuel and burnedin the combustion section 20, and expanded across the high pressureturbine section 22 and the low pressure turbine section 24.

The high pressure compressor section 18 and the low pressure compressorsection 16 include rotors 32 and 33, respectively, about the centerlineaxis 12. The high pressure compressor section 18 and the low pressurecompressor section 16 also include alternating rows of rotating airfoilsor rotating compressor blades 34 and static airfoils or static vanes 36.The high pressure turbine section 22 and the low pressure turbinesection 24 each include rotors 26 and 27, respectively, which rotate inresponse to expansion, driving the high pressure compressor section 18and the low pressure compressor section 16.

Referring to FIG. 2, with continued reference to FIG. 1, a couplingstack 40 attaches different components within the gas turbine engine 10.The coupling stack 40 includes an input coupling 42, a low pressurecompressor hub 44, a low pressure turbine shaft 46, a tie-bolt 48, aspanner nut 50, and a tab lock 52. The low pressure turbine shaft 46 isattached to the low pressure compressor hub 44. The low pressure turbineshaft 46 is also attached to the tie-bolt 48 by threading at a firstposition 54. The tie-bolt 48 is also attached to a spanner nut 50 bythreading at a second position 56. In one example, the threading isaccomplished using buttress threading, which is able to handle highaxial loads within the system while having a higher allowable stress andstrength load. Furthermore, the buttress threading allows higher axialloads with small amounts of radial movement.

Prior to attaching the tie-bolt 48 and spanner nut 50 by threading, thetie-bolt 48 is stretched at the second position 56 to create a preloadpressure using a stretching tool 100 (described below). When the spannernut 50 is inserted into the system and attached to the tie-bolt 48 bythreading, the tool 100 stretching the tie-bolt 48 is released creatingpressure on the spanner nut 50 from the tie-bolt 48. Once the tool 100is released, the coupling stack 40 is preloaded. During operation,coupling stack 40 preload is maintained at a minimum pressure loadrequirement.

The spanner nut 50 is in contact with the tab lock 52. The spanner nut50 provides pressure to the tab lock 52 to keep the tab lock 52 lockedin place. The tab lock 52 is in contact with the tie-bolt 48 and theinput coupling 42 to prevent unspooling, or rotation, between thetie-bolt 48 and input coupling 42.

The coupling stack 40 rotates around a centerline axis 12 within the gasturbine engine 10. The low pressure compressor hub 44 is connected tothe low pressure compressor rotors 33 (See FIG. 1). Furthermore, theinput coupling 42 is connected with the fan 14 (See FIG. 1).

Referring to FIGS. 3A and 3B, the tab lock 52 includes an annular body58 with an axial front side 60 and an axial back side 62. The annularbody 58 also includes a radial inner periphery 64 and a radial outerperiphery 65. A plurality of openings 66 are provided extending into theradial inner periphery 64 of the tab lock 52. The plurality of openings66 is used in conjunction with an insertion tool 90 (described below) tocreate a bayonet lock, allowing for insertion of the tab lock 52 intothe coupling stack 40.

A plurality of flanges 68 located on the axial back side 62 extends fromthe axial back side 62 in an axial direction opposite the axial frontside 60. In one example, a first side 70 of each of the plurality offlanges 68 is adjacent to one of the plurality of openings 66. The firstside 70 provides a stop, preventing rotation in one direction when usedin conjunction with the insertion tool 90. The size of the plurality ofopenings 66 is determined by the stress capability of the tab lock 52,which depends upon an axial width as well as a radial diameter of thetab lock 52.

The plurality of flanges 68 each includes a tab 72. Each tab 72 has anaxial length extending from the axial back side 62 of the tab lock 52 toan end 73. The axial length of the tab 72 along the centerline axis 12is greater than the axial length of the flange 68 from the axial backside 62 of the tab lock 52. As shown, the plurality of flanges 68 areequally sized and equally spaced in a radial direction around theannular body 58. However, it is within the contemplation of thisdisclosure to employ different sized flanges 68 and different spacingbetween the flanges 68.

The tab lock 52 includes four sets of flanges 68 and tabs 72. However,it is within the contemplation of this disclosure to use any number oftabs 72 and flanges 68. In one example, the tab lock 52 is made of aniron-based alloy treated to prevent corrosion. However, it is within thecontemplation of this disclosure to use other alloys or materials asengine requirements dictate. Further, the tabs 72 may be formed separateof the flanges 68.

Referring to FIG. 4, a second embodiment tab lock 152 includes sixflanges 168 a-f, six tabs 172, and six openings 166.

Referring to FIG. 5, the tie-bolt 48 is radially inward of the inputcoupling 42. A plurality of slots 80 are formed radially between thetie-bolt 48 and the input coupling 42. The tie-bolt 48 and inputcoupling 42 each include a number of partial slots, 80 a and 80 brespectively, which are aligned to form the slots 80. The tie-bolt 48may also include more partial slots 80 a than partial slots 80 b of theinput coupling 42 to allow for easier alignment of the tie-bolt 48 andinput coupling 42. The slots 80 are circumferentially spaced equallyapart, however it is within the contemplation of this disclosure to useother configurations of slots 80. Although, four slots 80 are shown, itis within the contemplation of this disclosure to use any number ofslots 80 to provide for easier insertion of the tabs 72 of the tab lock52.

Referring to FIG. 6, with continued reference to FIGS. 2, 3A, and 3B,the axial front side 60 of the tab lock 52 is in contact with thespanner nut 50 to provide pressure from the spanner nut 50 to the tablock 52 in an axial outward direction along the centerline axis 12. Eachof the tabs 72 extend in an axial direction from the axial back side 62of the tab lock 52 into the slots 80 defined between the input coupling42 and tie-bolt 48 and prevent unspooling between the input coupling 42and the tie-bolt 48. A bias force from the spanner nut 50 keeps the tablock 52 in place.

Referring to FIG. 7A, an insertion tool 90 is provided. The insertiontool 90 includes an outer face 200 and a ring 92. The ring 92 includes aplurality of lips 94 extending in a radial direction. The ring 92 islocated radially inward of the outer face 200. The lips 94 are sized topass through the plurality of openings 66 of the tab lock 52. A surface202 is defined between the ring 92 and the outer face 200.

Referring to FIG. 7B, the lips 94 of the insertion tool 90 are alignedwith the openings 66 of the tab lock 52 such that the lips 94 can passthrough the openings 66.

Referring to FIG. 7C, the tab lock 52 is then rotated relative to theinsertion tool 90 such that the plurality of lips 94 is rotated to alocked position. The plurality of lips 94 may only move in onecircumferential direction due to the flanges 68 of the tab lock 52preventing rotation in the opposite radial direction. The lips 94 arerotated until stopped, after coming into contact with another flange 68.

Referring to FIG. 7D, the plurality of lips 94 are in contact with boththe axial back side 62 of the tab lock 52 and the flange 68, preventingfurther rotation of the insertion tool 90 and creating a bayonet lock.The axial front side 60 of the tab lock 52 is in contact with thesurface 202 of the insertion tool 90. The tab lock 52 is attached to theinsertion tool 90 by being held in place between the lip 94 and thesurface 202.

Referring to FIGS. 2, 5, and 7A-7D, the use of the insertion tool 90allows the insertion of the tab lock 52 into the slots 80 between theinput coupling 42 and the tie-bolt 48. The insertion of the tab lock 52often results in blind assembly. That is, the mechanic is unable to seethe components as they are being inserted. The use of a bayonet lock toattach the tab lock 52 to the insertion tool 90 allows the mechanic torotate the tab lock 52 until it is aligned with the slots 80 definedbetween the tie-bolt 48 and the input coupling 42.

Referring to FIG. 8A, during installation a tool 100 stretches thetie-bolt 48. The tie-bolt 48, the connected tab lock 52 and insertiontool 90 are moved into the coupling stack 40. The insertion tool 90 withattached tab lock 52 is adjusted until the plurality of tabs 72 arealigned with a plurality of slots 80 defined between the tie-bolt 48 andthe input coupling 42 such that the plurality of tabs 72 can axiallyslide into the plurality of slots 80.

Referring to FIG. 8B, the insertion tool 90 is then rotated in anopposite direction from initial rotation to disengage the insertion tool90 from the tab lock 52.

Referring to FIG. 8C, with the plurality of tabs 72 inserted into theplurality of slots 80, the insertion tool 90 is removed from thecoupling stack 40.

Referring to FIG. 8D, the spanner nut 50 is then inserted. The spannernut 50 is attached to the tie-bolt 48 by threading at the secondposition 56, and is in contact with the tab lock 52. Once the spannernut 50 is attached, a tool 100 used to stretch the tie-bolt 48 isreleased, creating a preload pressure on the spanner nut 50 which thenin turn applies a bias force to the tab lock 52 holding the tab lock 52in place. The tab lock 52 is then able to prevent unspooling between thetie-bolt 48 and input coupling 42.

Although a coupling stack 40 including an input coupling 42 and tie-bolt48 is disclosed, it is within the contemplation of this disclosure toencompass use of the tab lock 52 with other components of a couplingstack 40 such that a first rotating member and a second rotating memberdefine a plurality of slots 80.

Although a preferred embodiment of this invention has been disclosed, aworker of ordinary skill in this art would recognize that certainmodifications would come within the scope of this invention. For thatreason, the following claims should be studied to determine the truescope and content of this invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. A coupling stack comprising: a first rotatingmember; a second rotating member; a plurality of aligned slots definedin the first rotating member and the second rotating member; and a tablock having an annular body with an axial front side and an axial backside, the annular body including: a plurality of openings extending intoa radial inner periphery of the annular body, a plurality ofcircumferentially extending flanges on the axial back side of theannular body adjacent to the plurality of openings, and a plurality oftabs, each tab formed adjacent a circumferential end of one of theplurality of flanges, wherein at least a portion of each tab is insertedinto one of the plurality of aligned slots.
 2. The coupling stack ofclaim 1, wherein the first rotating member is an input coupling and thesecond rotating member is a tie-bolt.
 3. The coupling stack of claim 1,wherein the plurality of tabs each extend from one of the plurality offlanges.
 4. The coupling stack of claim 1, wherein a nut providespressure on the tab lock such that the tabs are biased into the slots.5. The coupling stack of claim 4, wherein the nut is threaded to thesecond rotating member, wherein the second rotating member is atie-bolt.
 6. The coupling stack of claim 1, wherein a number of theplurality of slots is greater than a number of the plurality of tabs. 7.The coupling stack of claim 1, wherein the plurality of slots areequally circumferentially spaced apart.
 8. The coupling stack of claim1, wherein the plurality of openings are equally circumferentiallyspaced apart around the annular body.
 9. The coupling stack of claim 8,wherein the plurality of flanges are equally circumferentially spacedapart around the annular body.
 10. The coupling stack of claim 1,wherein the tab lock includes at least four tabs.
 11. The coupling stackof claim 1, wherein the plurality of flanges are adjacent the innerradial periphery of the annular body.
 12. A coupling stack comprising: afirst rotating member; a second rotating member; a plurality of alignedslots defined in the first rotating member and the second rotatingmember; and an annular interlocking mechanism, having: at least oneopening extending into a radial inner periphery of the interlockingmechanism; at least one circumferentially extending flange on an axialback side of the interlocking mechanism adjacent the at least oneopening; and at least one tab spaced apart from a circumferential end ofthe at least one flange, wherein at least a portion of the at least onetab is inserted into one of the plurality of aligned slots; and whereinthe interlocking mechanism contacting the first rotating member and thesecond rotating member and configured to prevent rotation between thefirst rotating member and the second rotating member.
 13. The couplingstack of claim 12, wherein the annular body includes an axial frontside, wherein the at least one flange extends in an axial directionopposite the axial front side.
 14. The coupling stack of claim 12,wherein an axial length of the flange is less than an axial length ofthe corresponding tab.
 15. The coupling stack of claim 12, wherein eachof the at least one flange is circumferentially adjacent a correspondingopening of the at least one opening.
 16. A method for assembling acoupling stack comprising: providing a tab lock with an annular body,the annular body having: a plurality of openings extending into a radialinner periphery of the annular body; a plurality of flanges on an axialback side of the annular body adjacent the at least one opening; and aplurality of tabs each formed adjacent a circumferential end of acorresponding one of the plurality of flanges; aligning the plurality ofopenings with a plurality of lips on a tool; rotating the tab lockrelative to the tool to a locked position such that the plurality oflips are locked against the axial back side of the annular body; movingthe tab lock into the coupling stack using the tool; aligning aplurality of tabs on the tab lock with a plurality of slots definedbetween a first rotating member and a second rotating member; insertingthe plurality of tabs into the plurality of slots; rotating the toolrelative to the tab lock to an unlocked position such that the pluralityof lips are aligned with the plurality of openings; and withdrawing thetool, the tab lock remaining in place.
 17. The method of claim 16,further comprising the step of inserting a nut to hold the tabs in theslots.
 18. The method of claim 17, further comprising the step ofproviding preload pressure to the tab lock through the nut.